NSW dust storm to disperse at some stage today

A VAST dust storm travelling across NSW is dissipating, with visibility improving across the state.

A VAST dust storm travelling across NSW is dissipating, with visibility improving across the state.

The dust storm, which originated from the Victorian Mallee and southwest NSW, blew over the Illawarra region and Sydney yesterday morning causing air pollution levels to spike.

It also tinged the sky a hazy orange colour.

Driven by south to south-westerly winds behind a cold front, the Bureau of Meteorology says the dust is gradually disappearing and should be all but gone some time today.

“The wind is continuing to blow from the west so any remaining dust, if it doesn’t disperse beyond detection, will blow out to sea,” a BoM spokesman said.

While another cold front is expected to clip the southwest of NSW overnight, the spokesman said it’s not likely to raise any major amounts of dust.

“It will be basically clear skies throughout most of the state on Thursday,” he said.

“This is a natural event that has unfortunately hit at a time when cultivation is underway for winter crops,” said Dr John Leys, from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage’s DustWatch program.

Swan Hill resident Deanna Dewhirst said there were barely any cars or people about yesterday.

“It was really windy. In town, it was like it was a Sunday.”